If you are working on your car’s suspension, you probably need to reinstall ball joints, which is a process that requires a ball joint press kit. Most people don’t have this kit at their homes or garages, and if you are one of those people, you probably wonder whether you should buy or rent a ball joint press kit.
The answer to this question depends on several factors, so let’s take a closer look at these factors:
When Should You Rent A Ball Joint Kit
Renting a ball joint kit makes sense in situations when you only need it once, for that one repair. If that’s the case with you, buying a ball joint kit would be an unnecessary expense. Instead of buying something you will only use once, rent it and return it once you are done.
Another situation that makes renting a better option is when you don’t have much storage space. In that situation, every new item that you purchase makes your storage space even more limited. Since ball joint kits can take a decent amount of space, renting them might be a smarter decision.
If you are planning to move away soon, maybe you should postpone buying a ball joint kit and rent it instead. Having to pack and transport this kit to a new location can be an unnecessary strain on your already hectic life.
Finally, renting is always cheaper than buying. If you are currently on a tight budget, you can save money by renting a ball joint press kit instead of buying it. Once your finances improve, you can reconsider purchasing it.
When Should You Buy A Ball Joint Kit
If you work as a car mechanic or own multiple high-mileage cars, a ball joint press kit is one of the essentials in your workshop or garage. With older and high-mileage cars, a malfunctioning suspension is a rather common sight, and you need this kit to repair it.
Renting wouldn’t make much sense in this situation because you would need to rent this kit all the time, which would be more expensive and too complicated. Speaking of costs, sometimes the cost of buying a ball joint press kit can be close to rental costs. If that’s the case, choosing to buy instead of renting is more logical.
For some people, a ball joint press kit rental isn’t even an option because there are no kits for rent in the local area. They only have the option to go to the nearest hardware store or similar shop and buy this kit.
Finally, when you rent something, you never know what kind of quality you will get. The ball joint press kits are rather durable, but not all of them are made of high-quality materials. Some even get damaged with prolonged use, or some parts from the kit get lost.
In that case, buying this kit instead of renting it is a better option. You will buy a new kit, with no damage and no lost parts. You can also choose the kit with perfect specs for your needs, and the quality is almost guaranteed.
Getting The Right Ball Joint Removal Kit
In case you decide to buy a ball joint removal kit, you need to learn a thing or two before making your purchase. As we already mentioned in the previous section, not all kits are made equal. Firstly, not all kits are made of durable materials. Usually, the tools in this kit are made of carbon steel, but some brands use cheaper materials instead.
Then, some kits have a limited number of tools, while others are more diverse and inclusive. Some of these kits are compatible with 2WD vehicles, others are compatible with 4WD vehicles, but the best kits are compatible with both 2WD and 4WD vehicles.
Another thing that many people tend to overlook is the ergonomics and ease of use. Sure, that doesn’t matter much if you use this kit rarely or only once. However, if you use this kit frequently, your hands and arms will start to hurt if the tools aren’t optimized for prolonged use.
Additionally, badly designed tools lead to more mistakes, and they can make the ball joint installation/removal more complicated than necessary. Finally, take a look at the kit’s casing. Is it made of high-quality plastic or another durable material? Are the tools inside the casing organized neatly? This might seem irrelevant, but a strong and organized casing will protect your tools.
Try These Ball Joint Removal Tools
Ball Joint Press Service Kit for Most 2WD and 4WD Vehicles and Light Trucks, 10pcs
This heavy-duty and professional-grade kit allows you to remove ball joints and U-joints on most 2WD and 4WD vehicles. It is built from forged steel with a rust-resistant finish, and it comes with a wide range of adapters. This kit is neatly organized in a durable molded case for easy storage and transport:
21pcs Ball Joint Removal Tool Kit for Most 2WD and 4WD Vehicles
If you want a more diverse kit, take a look at this 21-piece ball joint press set. It offers easy operation and handling with multi-size adapters to remove ball joints and U-joints on most 2WD and 4WD vehicles. This kit is built from forged carbon steel with anti-rust coating, and it also includes a full range of adapters:
Conclusion
So, should you buy or rent a ball joint press kit? There isn’t one right and one wrong answer, because what’s right depends on your situation and your individual needs. In short, if you need to use this kit only once, renting is a better option. However, if you need to use this kit quite frequently, then you should definitely buy it. No matter which option you choose, it is important that you use a high-quality ball joint press kit.
